Frequently Asked Questions

    If you are new to Gemini Youth Orchestras, this page may help you understand what we are all about. The answers expressed herein were written by our past board president, Richard Reiben, and where opinions are given constitute those of the writer only.

1. Why should I (or my musically-talented child) enroll in a youth orchestra?

    OK, so you started with the most difficult question first. We all know how over-committed most students are these days, and there is no question that we all have to prioritize our classes and activities. That having been said, there is a small percentage of students who are "serious" about music, whether as a career choice or simply as recreation. If your child takes private lessons, then the only practical way to advance his or her ensemble skills is through a youth orchestra. Schools make a good effort, but by their nature must accept virtually every student who wishes to play. The result is that more challenging material often cannot be performed there. A youth orchestra provides far more technical training, stretching one's "musical muscles" to their limit. The intellectual side-effects of music are well-documented, and there are great benefits to a child's sense of pride in accomplishment, teamwork and appreciation for the arts. Oh yes -- it's also fun to perform and excel.

2. OK, then why Gemini Youth Orchestras?

    This one's easier. GYO is the only Long Island youth orchestra headed by a full-time professional conductor as its principal conductor and music director, and this has been the case with rare exceptions since 1991. Maestro Michael Adelson, our Music Director from 2003-2005 and from 2008 to date, has affiliations including the New York Philharmonic, the SUNY Purchase Orchestra and Mannes School of Music Pre-College Orchestra, and is well-recognized as one of the finest pedagogical (educational) conductors in the country. We play major concert venues such as Carnegie Hall (most recently in May 2004), Lincoln Center (2007 through 2010), Tilles Center and others. Our preparatory groups are actually a developmental system that feature experienced and well-regarded conductors who help build technical skills, self-confidence, teamwork and love of music. The Gemini Youth Symphony, our "flagship", is where these skills are fine-tuned and students are prepared for their college careers and beyond. In the words of Maestro Adelson, our goal is to produce high school graduates who are ready for conservatory training. Proof of the pudding (and a source of justifiable pride in GYO): for the past three seasons, approximately sixty percent of our graduates have told us that at college they will major in music, music education or music therapy.

3. How long has GYO been around? Where do you rehearse and when?

    GYO was founded in 1969 by Paul Rudoff, a well-known music teacher and conductor, who also served as music director until 1991. You can read more about our history on this website. In 2010, the Long Island Music Hall of Fame awarded to Mr. Rudoff and his wife, Patricia Rudoff, the Long Island Sound Award for their contributions to our music community.

    Our rehearsals are on Monday evenings at the newly-renovated facility at West Hollow Middle School, Old East Neck Road, Melville, just off Exit 49 of the LIE. During the past ten seasons, our rehearsal venues have graciously been provided by the Half Hollow Hills School District. The Gemini Jazz Ensemble rehearses at the same place on Tuesday evenings.

4. Do you charge tuition? Why?

    Yes. Our conducting staff are paid professionals, assisted by parent and other volunteers like myself. We are required to pay for concert venues, guest artists, music purchases and rentals, licensing fees to ASCAP and BMI, insurance, accounting and other items. To meet our expenses, we must charge tuition. Tuition usually covers only about 60% of our budget, the remaining portion of which is supplemented by ticket sales, fundraisers, private and corporate donations, advertising revenues and public and private grants. Tuition ranges from $350-450 per school year; we ask that it be paid as early as possible as our financial staff are also volunteers.

    GYO is a "need-blind" organization. No student will be denied admission based on his or her family's financial circumstances. Students may apply for scholarships at the time they are admitted. Families with more than one student in GYO qualify for sibling discounts. Students participating in the Gemini Concert Winds and another group will also receive a multi-group discount. 

5. Are donations tax-deductible?

    GYO is qualified as a charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax-deductible for taxpayers who deduct charitable donations on their income tax returns. Consult your tax advisor to determine the availability of such deductions. Our Friends of Gemini Program recognizes those who contribute to GYO. If you have an employer who matches charitable contributions, we encourage your participation.

6. How skilled does my child have to be to play for GYO?

    GYO offers positions for string players at NYSSMA Levels 3 and up, and for winds, percussion and others at NYSSMA Levels 4+ and up. The Gemini String Orchestra is a preparatory group for NYSSMA Level 3 through 5. The Gemini Chamber Orchestra is for Level 5-A+ and Level 6 string players. The Gemini Concert Winds accepts most Level 4-6 players, with a few exceptions. The Gemini Youth Symphony accepts Level 6 to All State players. NYSSMA Level is only a guide and certainly not the sole determinant of qualification; an audition is necessary (and usually helpful in guiding the student) to determine initial qualification and whenever a student wishes to move up to a new level. Also, all positions are subject to availability (open positions and overall capacities) in our groups. 

7. If you had 20-20 hindsight, what instruments would you have your children learn?

    Well, mine learned the double bass and that was OK -- the instrument is much in demand and we had a Volvo wagon. The other instruments that seem most in demand these days are the viola, and for wind players the oboe, bassoon, french horn, euphonium and some of the more esoteric ones like the bass clarinet and bass trombone. Of course, your child must be comfortable with the instrument and enjoy playing it, which must be the first criterion of all.

8. You're not a musician. Your kids graduated high school years ago. Why the heck do you run a youth orchestra?

    Well, aside from the fact that it provides a great deal of satisfaction (and believe me it does), someone has to do it. Since 2005-06, my wife Karen has been executive director (after almost a decade on the board), which has enabled GYO to run almost entirely on a volunteer basis, with the exception of music staff. We always need more parental volunteers; we've had superb response during the past few years and at this rate, I might find a new board president before my grandchildren are ready to audition. Or maybe I won't want to: everyone needs to find a way to "give back", and I think I've found mine.  

9. Will GYO look good on my kid's college resume?

    Sure, but that's not the main reason for him or her to participate. We have graduated kids to the best music schools in America and to all of the great liberal arts colleges and universities. We have had a Presidential Scholar, a dozen Intel finalists, National Merit Scholars, All-Eastern and All-National musicians, etc. etc. etc. This, I believe, is no coincidence. The "Mozart Effect" is real, and continues throughout the teenage years. Classical music disciplines and organizes the mind and acculturates our youth in a time when culture sometimes seems on a downward spiral. Playing builds teamwork, self-confidence and pride; the journey is its own reward. I am convinced that most of our players actually look forward to and take joy in rehearsals. It's a social event unlike solitary practice, and a way of interacting with adults and peers that is terrifically positive.

    There is something else I want to add here, and it's important. All the leading authorities on college admissions now concur: it's not the quantity, but the quality of extracurricular activities that distinguishes a student from the pack. For example, visit:

        http://www.princetonreview.com/college/research/articles/prepare/extracurriculars.asp

    If GYO is just "another activity" to add to the list and your kid has to be forced or cajoled into participating, a youth orchestra is probably not a great idea. There, I said it and I mean it (wasn't easy)!

10. What kind of venues are you playing in lately?

    I am going to answer that question two different ways: For the first time, all GYO groups appeared on stage at a major venue, Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center, New York City, on March 24, 2007. This was a sellout event and energized kids, parents and staff alike. The music was pretty good too (check the clips). As a result, we returned to Lincoln Center, this time at Avery Fisher Hall, on March 2, 2008; to Alice Tully Hall on June 13, 2009 and February 27, 2010, and are scheduled for ATH on May 21, 2011. We schedule concerts at Tilles Center, CW Post College, on a near-annual basis as well. Other recent venues have included the Walt Whitman Mall, and the Harry Chapin Stage at Huntington's Heckscher Park, both of which were food drives for Island Harvest.

    That having been said, in my opinion these concerts are not the reason GYO exists. Our legal name is Training Orchestra, Inc., and that is not a coincidence. Performances are only the "icing on the cake"; again, the journey is its own reward. The true value of our organization is in the training it provides; the concerts are wonderful by-products.

11. How does my child audition? Where can I get more information?

    Auditions are by appointment only.  Please check the "Auditions" tab on the webpage for more information, or email us at webmaestro@gyo.org,

12. Why do you have strict attendance policies?

      We consider participation in GYO a commitment. This means that attendance at rehearsals is mandatory except in case of physical illness or conflicting school music activities. (See Question 1.) Birthday parties, too much homework, soccer practice, etc. are not acceptable excuses and subject the student to dismissal. Our handbook (available on this website) explains this policy further. Failure to attend rehearsals is unfair to the student him/herself and to the rest of the ensemble.

    It is equally important that the student prepare for rehearsals with his or her private teacher. Materials presented by GYO are meant to be very challenging. If a student does not practice at home and with a private teacher, he or she simply will not be prepared.

    If a position has been reserved for your student, that means someone else probably was not accepted. Please be sure your student is willing to make the commitment necessary to become an excellent musician before making the decision to join GYO.

Edited June 30^th, 2010 -NH